Offroad Driving Tips

thunder039 said:
so was it with the current model did subaru's auto's become more of a constant 4x4?
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It goes from a 90/10 split (front/rear) to 60/40(front/rear) split. So it is better but it still takes time react to split to 50/50. The reason why I like my manual which is 50/50 all the time. Plus with my All Terrain tyres on gravel it grips like s**t to a blanket. With my highway tyres on gravel it was like driving on ice and did cause me to loose control once.

Ever since I am a granny driver on gravel unless it's a big open flat area to have a little rip around.
 
G'day again Thunder

thunder039 said:
ah righto i didnt know that about the automatic subi's
i didnt think the manuals were always a 50/50 split only when there is slippage
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Ever since my model Impreza (Roo1 - 1993), the MT centre diff is theoretically 50:50 under ideal conditions.

It will vary from 60:40 to 40:60 F:R depending on conditions, AFAIK.

Going up slippy slopes, that 40:60 F:R with a LSD at the back is pretty handy ... :iconwink: :biggrin:
 
If you drive offroad, I dont care if its a Range Rover that someone drives, reality is, you WILL get stuck and you WILL have breakdowns. Always be prepared for ANYTHING. I have driven offroad my entire life. I ALWAYS keep an axe, 50' of logging chain with hooks on either end, an entrenching tool(folding shovel), a come along (hand cranked winch), extra clothing and extra whatever needed. I can write anything here in an attempt to prop up someones offroad skills. Greatest thing someone can.do is to use good judgement.
 
Im not sure where to purchase good judgement, if you figure that out, let me know, I'd like a pallet or 5 of it myself.
 
I've noticed an interesting thing, driving on the dirt roads near the cottage lately. I've been taking the corners a bit differently, and perhaps driving a bit faster. The roads have had more gravel added a while ago. Coming into corners, the car will almost seem to float coming in and want to keep going straight, and then the tires will bite and it'll want to turn or perhaps drift if I hit the gas. This is all rather fun, though I'm hesitant to test it too much as I don't want to end up in the ditch.

Just curious if anyone else has encountered this kinda float and bite.
 
Get a rally driving class :) Even if you don't actually race, the driving skills can definitely be useful on dirt roads.
 
bobbotron said:
Just curious if anyone else has encountered this kinda float and bite.
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Yes mate, I have. It can be really bloody scary. I found it often when I was running highway tyres. After going to All Terrain type tyres I could get the back out or get it to side, drift, do donuts, etc... but in a much more controlled manner. While with my highway tyres as soon as you pickup the speed it would have that 'floating' feeling, but I couldn't find traction after that and ended up crashing once :(
 
tires!! and abs..manual vs auto

I have driven many auto subes and manual ones..
street tires, AT, MT tires..

Get rid off the street tires for offroad..they suck..
at are great for the most part but on gravel the MT's dig in with more bite and control...
The AT's allow for more float..which is more like a rally tire(BFG AT)ideal for drifting and sand..

The manaul I prefer...but hard to beat a 4.44 final drive keeping the rpms up and power on w/auto..

My Foz is an auto and it behaves much like a manual....when hitting the skinny pedal...in 1,2nd gear..the LSD in the rear kicks in...and wahoo!!! now were having fun...

air psi is crucial for all conditions.....I see way to many folks at 40psi plus offroading ..thus reducing your contatct patch for maximum traction and braking..

Rock crawling with over 25lbs is nuts...your asking for sidewall cuts...
unless your rallying the gravel 32psi is ok with a coilover suspension to suck up the bumps..your better off with about 22-25psi..
Snow /sand...start around 22psi and go as low as needed ...It's amazing how much more traction you'll get with a a 5-10psi difference ...Better to air down than shoveling..!
I've walked right out of stuff I was diggin holes with tires...with a air psi adjustment...




Get you feet wet and get out ther and practice in all conditions.....just do what your comfortable with....

Ditch that abs fuse offroad...! you'll thank me later..
 
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thunder039 said:
just wanted some clarification on the auto subies.
i have a my04 forester xs auto and was wondering what the go is with selecting 1st and 2nd and locking the torque split? and what difference this makes compared to driving in D with torque split
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Here is a link to making your own torque split switch https://www.rs25.com/forums/f8/t99075-4eat-diff-lock-switch-handbrake-mod-torquemada-lite.html i did this for my Gt Forester
You can buy all the parts at Jaycar it's not that hard to put together
I have used it but the hill i went up was so steep and loose i didn't try the switch I just wanted to get up the hill so it was on all the way.
I didn't have any trouble with traction so i'm assuming it worked

Jan
 
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Do you have the General AT down under ? Because I'm very happy with them after the BF AT, they are smoother, more comfortable and I would say better off road too.
 
Yes we do, but not many places stock them (as a regular) so it can take a while to get them.
I inquired about them a while ago & it took me about 5 or 6 phone calls before I found someone who had them, who wasn't too far out of the way :)

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
^ I couldn't get any in all of my state (WA)... They couldn't even get them from interstate, so I didn't bother. But I chose the wrong choice with the crap things I am now running :(
 
Gidday Folks

Just for information, since researching and buying an SH auto, it is my understanding that this model equipped with the "Tiptronic" style sports auto has a default centre diff split of 50:50 all the time, same as the MT's diff. This varies between 60:40 and 40:60 F:R in all gears, also like the MT boxes.

This is quite different from the SF and SG autos which had the 50:50 split only when locked in 1/2, and also from the later versions with the funny name I can't recall ("Lineartronic", or some such - a CVT, from what I can gather ... ).

Someone please correct me if I am misunderstanding this ... :iconwink: :cool:.
 
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